California Governor tries to stay relevant. Gavin Newsom has been throwing a temper tantrum with the California legislature this week. He’s threatening to call a special legislative session if the lawmakers don’t approve his proposal for further regulation of the oil and gas industries in California. Analysts say the proposal would increase prices for Californians, Arizonans, and Nevadans as refineries would be forced to maintain a minimum reserve of fuel to avoid shortages.
This pathetic proposal comes from Newsom’s California Energy Commission. The CEC was created in 2023 after Newsom had called a special meeting in 2022 to demand that legislators “do something” to stop the alleged price gouging of Big Oil. The members of the California Energy Commission (CEC) are appointed by politicians, but not their staff. According to political consultant Rob Stutzman, the CEC staff members believe that this proposal would increase prices, not decrease them.
The governor announced the below plan earlier this month to prevent what he describes as oil ‘profit spikes.’
Newsom’s plan takes recommendations from the state’s new oil watchdog including a requirement that refiners keep a fuel reserve to prevent price spikes as a result of of…
— Eytan Wallace (@EytanWallace) August 28, 2024
Note: Many will say that California is the state you voted for, but pay attention. This method of addressing price gouging is exactly what President Kamala Harris if she were elected, would use. It is in everyone’s best interest to know what is going on.
Newsom’s propaganda on the subject:
Catherine Reheis Boyd, CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association, said on Tuesday that Newsom’s proposal was not revealed until August 15.
“There are bad rules, and there are rules that are so harmful to consumers, industry experts, the California Energy Commission and anyone who has a basic grasp of economics will be able to see it.” Governor Newsom’s refinery mandate will cause artificial fuel shortages in California, Arizona, and Nevada because it forces refiners to keep fuels off the market. The lawmakers who support this mandate are voting to raise gas prices for their constituents.
This last-minute, literal mandate is just the latest of a series of actions taken by this administration to restrict fuel supplies for consumers. California faces a de facto ban on production, which forces more than 75% of the crude oil our state needs to be imported from overseas. The ‘at-berth’ regulations that will be implemented in a few short months may worsen this situation by limiting shipping and causing a significant drop in crude oil supply and other transportation fuels needed to meet California’s energy needs. WSPA has warned lawmakers and the administration about the cumulative effect of these policies that limit supply but without success.
Notably, lawmakers are considering such radical policies in the energy sector at a moment when the country is examining closely how the “California Model” will impact families and their pocketbooks.
Newsom’s extortion tactics are back. Newsom is a little worried because there are only four legislative days left this year and no deal on the bill will be imminent. Ashley Zavala of KCRA reported on the story:
Sources told KCRA 3 that some Democratic legislators are pushing back against the special legislative session request.
Sources said that the governor was trying to convince lawmakers to add new language to a bill to address gas prices through new regulations regarding oil storage. Some lawmakers have resisted the idea, claiming that there is not enough time to examine it. There are still days left for lawmakers to sort through hundreds of proposed laws.
Sources in the Assembly say that Democratic members are generally open to the idea of giving the Governor’s proposals a little more attention. Sources from the State Senate say that members of the Democratic Party were less enthusiastic and resisted the idea of returning to Sacramento in September.
Of course. They have to be re-elected and some are running for higher offices.
Republicans in Sacramento also fight back. Asm. Bill Essayli, R-Riverside, called Newsom out on his actions:
Pretty sure this is what we call extortion. How about no on both demands. Go pound sand. https://t.co/iYSVLg3SSb
— Bill Essayli (@billessayli) August 28, 2024
Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher has raised the stakes.
Where does this guy get off? Pass my bill quickly with no transparency or I’ll call a special session. Cool. I’m ready to call his bluff. Call it @GavinNewsom
My first bill in special session will be to remove fuels from Cap & Trade and lower gas prices by .50 cents right… https://t.co/De7rILhz4Z
— James Gallagher (@J_GallagherAD3) August 28, 2024
Gallagher announced that he would be introducing three bills in the special session that would lower oil prices.
Where is this guy going? If you don’t pass my bill with transparency, I will call a special meeting. Cool. I’m prepared to call him out. Call it, Gavin Newsom.
I will introduce my first bill during the special session to remove fuels under Cap & Trade and reduce gas prices immediately by 50 cents.
Second, I will push for the CEQA to be applied to pipelines and refineries so that we no longer become an energy island.
My third goal is to repeal the stupid law that he passed to raise gas prices.
We are with Gallagher. Make our day, Gavin.
